Add some more adventure!

Track Elephants on Foot

Whether tracking elephant on foot through pristine grassland or paddling a canoe on the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe offers memories to last a lifetime. Explore Hwange National Park via 4×4, spotting cheetah, hippo, elephant, impala, zebra, and much more as you go.

Spend days on the Zambezi River—paddling a canoe out to the uninhabited Siansimba Islands or sipping sundowners aboard a speedboat. Experience the thrill of walking through the bush with experienced guides, learning to read animal tracks in the dirt and sense changes in wind direction. Ride a section of the historic Cape-to-Cairo railroad line through miles of backcountry, watching giraffe and lion cross in front of you from your open railcar. Stay in perfectly situated camps and lodges, with views of plunging gorges and watering holes from your beautifully appointed rooms. From beginning to end, savor an active and experiential journey into one of Africa’s less-known regions.

During your safari, witness phenomenal Victoria Falls (standing on your own two feet and from the “flight of the angels” helicopter transfer); track elephants on foot—an awe-inspiring, up-close experience; learn about the history of Zimbabwe and its colonial past; safari by 4×4, foot, boat, and even railroad to encounter cheetahs, elephants, and lions; enjoy warm and welcoming hospitality at the best camps in Zimbabwe. All lodgings on your active safari share a commitment to responsible tourism—providing guests with an immersive experience in nature and the surrounding culture, while also helping preserve the wilderness and enrich the local economy.

Tour Highlights:

With a knowledgeable guide, follow trails along the rim of Victoria Falls.

Get closer than you imagined possible to wild elephants inside a lodge’s innovative underground “look-up” blind.

Walk through conserved farmland into a remote village, where you’ll likely be joined by local children on their way to school.

Discover the fascinating history of Africa’s Cape-to-Cairo rail line as you ride along a stretch of it through Hwange’s backcountry.

Your CW Safari Includes:

Experienced, knowledgeable guides

All meals and drinks (including house alcohol)

Safari lodges and premium tented camps (with private baths)

Airport meet-and-greet service

All safari activities as outlined

Transportation from the meeting to the departure point

Internal flight(s)

All park fees and special events as noted in the itinerary

The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW Safaris staff

Guest Rating:

“Our guide, Andy Trivella, was an absolute delight and a profound master of the flora and fauna of the bush. I feel like I now have a PhD in zoology. This is a cliche, of course, but I hated when the safari ended.”E. Dunn

Touch down at Victoria Falls Airport and begin your Zimbabwean Safari. A shuttle will meet you and whisk you to Gorges Lodge, nestled in a garden setting and perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, 200 yards above the mighty Zambezi River. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the tranquil beauty of the lodge. Unwind by the pool, sipping a fresh-squeezed juice and taking in the stunning view.

Late afternoon, stretch your legs and join your guide on a walk through the lodge’s gardens – boasting 90% indigenous plants – leading to a striking outlook along the gorge. This is the ideal place to savor a glass of cold sauvignon blanc and slice of bobotie (curried meat) quiche, while watching the lodge’s resident pair of black eagles soar within feet of you. African black eagles (also known as Verreaux’s eagles) are a highly specialized bird of prey, who almost exclusively hunt rock hyrax—a small, rodent-like relative of the elephant. Black eagles pair for life, building nests and hunting together. Other large birds you may be lucky to view include the peregrine and taita falcons, lizard and jackal buzzards, harrier hawks and the occasional fish eagle.

Following sundowners with the eagles, stroll back to the main lodge where you will be entertained by their energetic team of talented traditional dancers—you might even get pulled in to join them! Then enjoy a tasty three-course dinner—such as butternut squash soup, beef stroganoff and peach crisp—in the main lodge area, overlooking the gorge, before retiring to your chalet and falling asleep to the sound of the river rushing below you.

When Gorges Lodge was opened in 1996, it was largest safari tourism development ever undertaken on communal land. As a starting point for your adventure, it’s a treat. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Victoria Falls, Gorges has a secluded setting, amidst gardens, and offers phenomenal views from its perch on the edge of the Batoka Gorge (the views are considered some of the best in southern Africa). The lodge is comprised of ten thatched chalets, set on stone, and a main lodge with lounge, dining room and bar, all overlooking the gorge. Wifi is available in the common area.

Wake up to the sound of the rushing river below and enjoy your morning tea or coffee out on your private veranda overlooking the gorge, followed by a breakfast of fruit, yogurt, toast and porridge in the main lodge dining area. Then head to the town of Victoria Falls for a guided tour of Zimbabwe’s prime attraction – the ‘Falls’ remains one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. No description, no matter how vivid, can prepare you for the reality of Victoria Falls. Natives call it “the smoke that thunders.” Geologists call it “the greatest known curtain of falling water,” and “Seventh Wonder of the Natural World.” The majestic Zambezi River sends more than 560,000 cubic meters of water per minute plummeting over the edge of this massive gorge, with a width of one and a quarter miles and a depth of more than 330 feet. The falls transform the placid Zambezi River into a ferocious torrent exploding into clouds of spray seen from miles away. Yet thanks to its remote location, the surrounding wilderness is peaceful and pristine. Walk along paths that meander through the rainforest – leading you from one awe-inspiring viewpoint to another. There will also be opportunity to visit the craft village to buy hand-carved souvenirs, for those interested.

After working up an appetite, you will be treated to a picnic lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River or at a local café before heading back to Gorges Lodge in the afternoon. Upon return to the lodge, you’ll have the option to hike down to the bottom of Batoka Gorge or visit the nearby Chisuma Village, where you’ll meet villagers and participate in some of their daily activities, such as crushing grain into meal, ploughing the fields and brewing beer. For those looking for a little rest, you may opt to settle in on your deck with a good book.

Or, you may wish to indulge in an optional ‘Flight of the Angels” helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. This ride gives you an unparalleled sense of the breathtaking glory and enormity of the falls, which is quite a different spectacle (and photo opportunity) than seeing it from the ground. This option can be requested and pre-paid in advance by contacting Country Walkers.

Pricing: $150 USD pp (minimum of 2 guests) for a 12-13 minute ride plus NP fees of approximately $14 or $290 USD pp (minimum of 3 guests) for a 25 minute ride plus NP fees of approximately $14 (the national park fees must be paid direct in-country in cash).

In the evening, enjoy an al fresco dinner in the lush garden under the stars.

When Gorges Lodge was opened in 1996, it was largest safari tourism development ever undertaken on communal land. As a starting point for your adventure, it’s a treat. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Victoria Falls, Gorges has a secluded setting, amidst gardens, and offers phenomenal views from its perch on the edge of the Batoka Gorge (the views are considered some of the best in southern Africa). The lodge is comprised of ten thatched chalets, set on stone, and a main lodge with lounge, dining room and bar, all overlooking the gorge. Wifi is available in the common area.

After breakfast, set off on a full day road transfer to Nehimba Lodge in the northwest of Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve), famed for its large elephant herds and diversity of wildlife. Along the way there will be plenty of rest stops and some game viewing. Just before entering the park, the road leads unexpectedly through an open coal mine. It’s a strong contrast to the glorious, preserved wilderness of Hwange, and underscores just how important your tourism is to supporting the national park and its wilderness. Founded in 1929 and named for a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest and oldest game reserve. Hwange is home to a staggering 108 mammal species—the largest array of mammals in any national park in the world. Here lions, cheetah, and endangered painted hunting dogs pursue wildebeest and zebra. As you drive to Nehimba Lodge, you’ll pass through Sinamatella, giving you an opportunity to view game before you even go on an official game drive. A packed lunch enjoyed at waterholes popular with pods of hippo will sustain you en route. The northwest part of the park is known for its mopane woodlands—also known as the butterfly tree—a species that grows only in the hot, arid, low-lying sections of Africa. Basalt lava flows and grayish-white dolomite hills dot the landscape, as well.

Upon arriving at Nehimba, settle in and start to unwind as you explore your home for the next two nights. Time permitting, join your guide on a late afternoon bush walk to a nearby waterhole, where you’ll see hippos, elephants, impalas and zebras. Following sundowners, you’ll return to camp with a spotlight – keeping an eye out for nocturnal animals.

Upon return to camp, a delectable three-course dinner awaits under the African sky. Dinner might include spinach and tomato parcels baked with garlic sauce and cheese, mint-crusted lamb cutlets, and berry panna cotta.

Nehimba Lodge is situated in a remote northwesterly corner of Hwange. The lodge consists of a main guest area and seven private chalets – thatched tents on teak decks – all overlooking the watering hole. Teak furniture, colorful textiles and white canopies decorate your room, offering a charming respite from the wilderness outdoors. Nehimba’s hospitality is marked by little luxuries -a hot bubble bath drawn and ready for you at the return of your game drive, or a cocktail to greet you at the end of an evening walk to a remote watering spot. As Nehimba’s large watering hole dries up considerably in the heat of the dry season, elephants draw even closer to the lodge, to refresh themselves at the freshwater swimming pool that sits right outside the veranda.

Prepare your day packs and set off with your guide for a full morning of tracking elephant herds on foot. Hwange is home to Africa’s largest herd of elephant during the dry season, when you’ll be visiting. By walking to find these beautiful beasts, you’ll have up close encounters that are truly exhilarating! Punctuating the flat grasslands are kopjes—large, ancient rock formations, whose nooks and crannies provide a refuge for small animals, including insects, lizards, snakes and rock hyraxes (the favored prey of the African black eagle). Kopjes offer oases in the middle of the plains resulting in an array of rich vegetation. Predators often use the tops of kopjes to scan the plains for prey.

Enjoy lunch back at the camp and a chance to relax by the lodge’s freshwater swimming pool—a favorite destination for Hwange’s thirsty herds during the dry season.

In the evening enjoy sundowners and canapés in front of a nearby pan. Then immerse yourself in the cuisine of Zimbabwe by helping the chef prepare a traditional Zimbabwean braai (a cookout) for dinner.

Nehimba Lodge is situated in a remote northwesterly corner of Hwange. The lodge consists of a main guest area and seven private chalets – thatched tents on teak decks – all overlooking the watering hole. Teak furniture, colorful textiles and white canopies decorate your room, offering a charming respite from the wilderness outdoors. Nehimba’s hospitality is marked by little luxuries -a hot bubble bath drawn and ready for you at the return of your game drive, or a cocktail to greet you at the end of an evening walk to a remote watering spot. As Nehimba’s large watering hole dries up considerably in the heat of the dry season, elephants draw even closer to the lodge, to refresh themselves at the freshwater swimming pool that sits right outside the veranda.

Savor early morning tea or coffee on your private deck followed by breakfast in the main lodge and then head out for one last morning walk through the Nehimba Concession. On returning to camp, pack your bags and head by 4×4 to Impofu Siding, near Hwange Main Camp (2 hours). Here, you’ll set off on a unique railroad adventure.

At Dete you will board the Elephant Express rail car for a leisurely and picturesque ride down the railway line. It’s a marvelous way to view game, cruising along in the comfortable train car. The rails run straight as a ruler for miles and miles, and wildlife, such as cats, often sit on the tracks, and elephants and giraffes cross in front of you. The train tracks are part of the historic Cape to Cairo Railway—a breathing remnant of colonial history. The unfinished railway was the late 19th-century vision of Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia (current day Zambia and Zimbabwe), and funder of the eponymous Rhodes Scholarship. He wanted to construct a railway bridging the 4,200-miles separating Cape Town and Cairo in an almost straight line, thus joining the two British possessions in Africa and forming a continuous “red line” of British

Dominion from north to south. A railway was a critical element in this scheme to unify the possessions, facilitate governance, enable the military to move quickly to hot spots or conduct war, help settlement; and enable intra- and extra- continental goods trade. Of note is the famous Victoria Falls Bridge, which crosses over the Zambezi River, catching the spray of Victoria Falls. For over 50 years, it was a critical route for passengers and freight to cross between Northern and Southern Rhodesia.

You’ll be traveling in a converted rail car that’s been fitted with a Land Rover engine, gears, clutch, brakes, and specially adapted wheels. Your train is operated by two expert engineers who have spent their life’s work with the national railway – they’ll quickly tell you that driving this hybrid railcar is their dream retirement. The southern section of the line was completed during British rule before the First World War and has an interconnecting system of national railways using the Cape-gauge of 1,067 mm (3 ft. 6 in). The length of line that borders the edge of Hwange National Park is the longest straight stretch of railway line at 114km. Traveling along this historic rail line in a refurbished train car is a spectacular treat for the train buff. Packed snacks and lunch will be served on board during the two-hour trip to Camelthorn. *This railway tour is dependent on the National Railway Line and their permission, but it has been operating regularly to date.

Upon arrival you check in to your home for the next three nights, Camelthorn. Settle into your forest villa and then head off for a late afternoon game drive and walk into Hwange National Park. You’ll arrive at a picturesque pan for sundowners and canapés. The flat terrain of the Ngamo Plains in this part of Hwange offers incredible, endless vistas and is an exquisite place to watch the sunset and hear the sounds of night falling upon the plains, as nocturnal critters begin their day.

Head back to the lodge for a delectable three-course dinner under the ancient Camelthorn tree on the terrace, then retire to the campfire for coffee, hot chocolate or a night cap, and stories into the evening.

Nestled in the shaded forest, Camelthorn Lodge’s eight luxuriously furnished villas stay cool in the hot months and warm in the winter. The star of the lodge is the immense camelthorn tree, which forms the centerpiece of the patio and curved main lodge. The camelthorn gets its name from the long-necked giraffe and camels who seek out its high-branched foliage. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and large shower, a fireplace, private deck and an upstairs hammock and daybed that’s perfect for relaxing. The surrounding woodlands are dotted with small water baths that attract smaller woodland creatures such as mongoose, bushbuck, squirrels and abundant, colorful birdlife. This lodge lies on community land and was constructed in tandem with the village elders, who requested buildings made of stone, so they would have something that would last – with or without tourism.

Wake up early beneath the acacia canopy listening to the plethora of birdlife that live around the lodge, while sipping coffee or tea. After breakfast, head off for a game drive and walk. Today you’ll learn the secrets of the expert “Zim pro guides”, as they lead you on a walking safari to find elephants. You’ll pay attention to which way the wind is blowing, the alert of monkeys, and other on-the-ground tips your guide provides. You’ll walk noiselessly through acacia forests, and you might even sneak up on a grazing zebra. It’s a thrilling experience, but in the presence of these expert guides, you’ll feel safe, as well as awed.

A casual lunch (a well-deserved cold beer and cheeseburger, possibly) will be served in our exclusive ‘look up’ blind in front of Stoffie’s Pan. The blind is an old shipping container that’s been camouflaged as a termite heap and buried in the ground under an ancient Mitswiri tree. It’s an incredible opportunity to get close to the elephants. For elephant lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.

While this is truly a day for the elephants, you’ll find that big cats, myriad plains game, smaller critters and birds aplenty are there for the sighting. This national park also has a series of pumps, which provide a lifeline for wildlife and the travelers who venture here to experience it. Several boreholes were dug and water pumping stations built by park rangers in the 1950s, during a time of drought. One of the generator-charged pumps is located at Stoffie’s Pan. These man-made pans have ensured water for wildlife for years now reducing the need for wildlife to migrate outside of park boundaries during the dry season – which has proven especially dangerous as there are hunting grounds on their migration routes. Boreholes have also been created for the neighboring communities that have formed and now thrive on the edge of the park.

Take a leisurely drive back to Camelthorn and enjoy a few hours at the lodge, either bird watching around the camp or taking a siesta in your villa hammock before your late-afternoon game drive in the park. Stop at a watering hole to watch the sun go down, while sipping aperitifs, before heading back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner in the main lodge dining area.

Nestled in the shaded forest, Camelthorn Lodge’s eight luxuriously furnished villas stay cool in the hot months and warm in the winter. The star of the lodge is the immense camelthorn tree, which forms the centerpiece of the patio and curved main lodge. The camelthorn gets its name from the long-necked giraffe and camels who seek out its high-branched foliage. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and large shower, a fireplace, private deck and an upstairs hammock and daybed that’s perfect for relaxing. The surrounding woodlands are dotted with small water baths that attract smaller woodland creatures such as mongoose, bushbuck, squirrels and abundant, colorful birdlife. This lodge lies on community land and was constructed in tandem with the village elders, who requested buildings made of stone, so they would have something that would last – with or without tourism.

This morning sees an early start with breakfast in the dining room before taking a short drive to nearby Ngunyana Village. From here, you’ll start walking down a series of dirt paths, where you’ll join up with local schoolchildren on their two-to-three mile morning journey from the village to nearby Ngamo School. At the school, you’ll meet the principal, tour the classrooms and share about yourself with the students. Then continue walking through the village to see what is happening in local life that day. Depending on the season, you’ll gain insight into the day-to-day life of a rural Zimbabwean: if you’re there in May, you’ll learn about tilling crops; September means thatching roofs. This warm and welcoming community offer glimpses into their lives. You’ll be invited into the home of the headman of the village—an eloquent speaker who is as likely to pose questions as he is to answer them. It’s an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how community and conservation work closely together. Following this visit, you’ll end your walk under the shade of nearby trees to enjoy a lovely picnic lunch. Then it’s back to the lodge for a few hours of quiet time.

As the African sun starts to cool, climb aboard the 4×4 packed with cold refreshments and snacks and drive along the Ngamo Plains one last time. Stop at a watering hole to watch the sun sink beneath the horizon before heading back to the lodge to freshen up for your delicious dinner under the camelthorn tree.

Nestled in the shaded forest, Camelthorn Lodge’s eight luxuriously furnished villas stay cool in the hot months and warm in the winter. The star of the lodge is the immense camelthorn tree, which forms the centerpiece of the patio and curved main lodge. The camelthorn gets its name from the long-necked giraffe and camels who seek out its high-branched foliage. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and large shower, a fireplace, private deck and an upstairs hammock and daybed that’s perfect for relaxing. The surrounding woodlands are dotted with small water baths that attract smaller woodland creatures such as mongoose, bushbuck, squirrels and abundant, colorful birdlife. This lodge lies on community land and was constructed in tandem with the village elders, who requested buildings made of stone, so they would have something that would last – with or without tourism.

After breakfast, you wish your lovely hosts farewell and join your guide on an hour-long charter flight over Hwange National park to Victoria Falls and your last camp on the banks of the Zambezi River. After experiencing the dry season in inland Hwange, relish a few days exploring the water. During your stay you’ll see massive, fat hippos and stealthy crocodiles, and experience the water by boat and kayak.

Settle into your luxury tent and then enjoy a tasty late lunch (curried chicken and pineapple salad with tomato-mozzarella pinwheels, perhaps) on the main lodge deck while the mighty Zambezi flows past. This afternoon set off on an exploratory boat ride, stopping off at a scenic spot to watch the sun set. The thrill of recreational fishing for tigerfish is included for guests who are interested (tigerfish are highly regarded as being the best freshwater game fish in Africa – and a real fight!).

Zambezi Sands River Camp is the last of the gracious lodges that you’ll visit on your journey. It is the perfect place to play and relax. Your platform-raised tent has its own river-facing private deck with a splash pool. You’ll also have a chance to experience wildlife during your stay. Elephant can be found loitering on the mainland or in the river, while hippo, waterbuck and bushbuck frequent the reed banks and islands. Lions can be heard calling at night and the birdlife is prolific – African finfoot, African skimmer, pratincoles and Pel’s fishing owl all occur here.

Today is a day at your leisure. Enjoy early morning tea or coffee on your private deck overlooking the river and enjoy a number of activities: you might choose to paddle in a canoe exploring the Siansimba Islands or take a morning bush walk incorporating some buffalo tracking. Or, perhaps you want to take the morning off and relax on your own – simply enjoying your surroundings. Following any activity, you’ll enjoy a sumptuous bush brunch on the river’s edge before returning to the lodge for a siesta (or a spot of fishing!). In the afternoon head off for a game drive, returning to camp in the evening for a sunset ‘drift’ on the water with refreshments and snacks.

This evening you celebrate the adventures you’ve had in the company of newfound friends during your final farewell dinner on the main lodge deck.

DAY 1 - In flight to South Africa

DAY 2 - Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa and transfer to your comfortable hotel. Settle into your room, where you’ll have time to rest and relax before your safari begins.

Johannesburg Accommodation: African Rock Hotel

This hotel in a gated community provides a restful first night in Africa, with nine luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, wellness center, bar, and the wonderful Blue Hippo restaurant, presided over by master chef Christine Agumba.

A transfer will be provided to the Victoria Falls airport for your return flight home from there.

Stay a Little Longer

CW Safaris offer many enticing post-trip extensions ranging from an urban safari in Cape Town, South Africa to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda. Refer to our website or contact our office for more details.

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Guides

Our Guides

Andrew Esterhuizen

Andre Esterhuizen (better known as ‘Chap’) gained Zimbabwe’s notoriously stringent Professional Guide qualification when he was just 22 years old, testimony to his dedication to this chosen career path. Born in Bulawayo, Chap attended the elite Christian Brothers College before serving his apprenticeship in the safari industry, although his experience in the outdoors began a long time before that during many childhood wilderness and camping trips with his family. Chap has worked as a freelance guide in many wild areas of Zimbabwe, as well as in the Selous in Tanzania, and, more recently, in Hwange and Matobo National Parks, where walking in historic areas is a specialty.

Andy Trivella

Andy was brought up in West Nicholson, Zimbabwe, a rural outpost of Matabeleland, where his father was an executive with an extensive cattle ranching, beef, and canning operation. Early years were spent on the farm followed by boarding school at Milton Secondary in Bulawayo. He served his apprenticeship as a tool, jig, and die maker but the day he qualified as a journeyman was the day he quit the workshop to follow a life outdoors in the African bushveld, always his first love! Licensed as a professional safari guide since 1999, he has worked in every big game park in Zimbabwe, as well as to Liuwa Plains and the Lower Zambezi in Zambia, specializing in Hwange National Park, famous for its elephants, and in Matopos National Park, famous for its black rhino.

Sibahle “Sibs” Sibanda

Having grown up in western Zimbabwe, “Sibs,” as he’s affectionately known by friends and coworkers, was first introduced to guiding by his brother. Since 2000 he has led groups through many regions in southern Africa and is licensed through Zimbabwe’s famously stringent guide regulations. He’s skilled at safely tracking elephants on foot and enjoys sharing his native Hwange National Park with guests. Fluent in seven languages (Ndebele, English, Tonga, Nambya, Zulu, Tswana, and Shona), Sibs has a special passion for, as he puts it, “helping developing communities that surround safari areas” and has worked as a cultural guide with the San people of the Kalahari. “My country is such a friendly, hardworking nation,” he says. “I’m overjoyed to share its rich cultural heritage, wildlife, and scenery with visitors.”

safari tour extensions

Extend your adventure, add a Safari Extension to your itinerary.

Rwanda: Virunga Mountain Gorillas

Face-to-Face with Endangered Primates

Set off into the verdant wilds of Volcanoes National Park to discover one of the last strongholds of the endangered mountain gorilla.